Studio Seeks 'Spidey-4' Scribe

[Brian Damage]

Having already completed a script for "Indiana Jones 4," David Koepp is reportedly Columbia's first choice to write "Spider-Man 4."

According to Variety, the studio has begun negotiations with Koepp, who was credited screenwriter on the 2002 original "Spider-Man" vehicle.

While the trade story suggests that Columbia would love to make a fourth "Spider-Man" movie -- Given the $1.6-plus billion worldwide take for the first two films, that was a no-brainer -- the actual process may be far more complicated.

Franchise stars Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst and James Franco signed industry-standard three-picture deals, contracts that will be fulfilled with "Spider-Man 3" opens on May 4. Sam Raimi, director of each of the first three films, is also a free agent. Given that several of the franchise principals -- particularly Maguire and Raimi -- have expressed reservations about continuing past the third film, Koepp's script (plus many, many, many millions of dollars) may go a long way toward luring everybody back for a reunion.

The two "Spider-Man" sequels have both been written by Alvin Sargent.

Blockbuster credits for Koepp include "Jurassic Park," "Mission: Impossible" and "War of the Worlds."